After quick return, Justin Abdelkader bumped up to third line for Red Wings

DETROIT -- Justin Abdelkader experienced his own personal version of the film “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,’’ this week on his journey from Detroit to Grand Rapids to Toronto and back.

Abdelkader, assigned to the AHL Griffins Thursday morning, drove back to Grand Rapids that day and unpacked his bags. He boarded the Griffins’ team bus Friday morning for the trip to Toronto. Midway through practice later in the day, he learned the Detroit Red Wings had recalled him. He flew from Toronto to Windsor and took a cab to Detroit.

He joined the Red Wings for Saturday’s game-day skate and is slated to center the third line, between Todd Bertuzzi and Jason Williams, tonight against the Washington Capitals at Joe Louis Arena.

“Pretty whirlwind trip, but I made it back here,’’ Abdelkader said.

The 22-year-old Muskegon native was sent down because the Red Wings didn’t have enough salary-cap space after signing enforcer Brad May on Thursday. Johan Franzen’s knee injury resulted in Abdelkader’s quick return.

“It’s tough, anytime guys get injured, but it means it’s opportunity for other guys, so hopefully I can stay up here and play well and earn a spot,’’ Abdelkader said.

“We wanted him to get some mileage,’’ Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “It’s good for the kid. If I’m Abby, I say to myself, ‘I had an opportunity to be here. That opportunity was taken away, whether I thought it was right or not. What am I going to do to make sure I don’t have to ride that bus six more hours, or 106 more hours, whatever it is in the year?’ Come here and play harder.

“He’s got lots of ability, he’s got good size (6-foot-1, 212). We think he’s a big part of our future. Right now, he’s getting force-fed, more than he would have if we went back to Grand Rapids and played 20 minutes a night.’’

Abdelkader, who centered the fourth line, between Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby, in the first two games of the season, said he was surprised to be sent down on Thursday.

“I knew they were interested in May but didn’t really know they were going to sign him at the time,’’ Abdelkader said. “I came to the rink planning on playing that night and got told before the skate I was going down.

“Obviously you’re disappointed anytime you get sent down. I care so much about it. It’s nice to be back up here and get to prove myself again.’’

He’s still expected to play a gritty, physical game, but he’s hoping to provide some offense, too, on the third line.

“Playing with two really good players, hopefully I’ll get some more offensive chances and be counted on to play good defensively,’’ Abdelkader said.